As We Near The 21st Century

 Soon it will be the next century, and it is hard to believe that this old man might reach that mark, of living in two centuries. What is also hard to believe, is that there are some out there who were born in the previous century, and now will move into the next, thus being part of a special group spanning three centuries.

 Just think about all the changes in the way that these people lived, compared to those who are just now entering this world. Just think how rough it was for them to make it into the present time, compared to us, who have only lived in the 20th century.

 Those who lived in the 19th century, and are still here, will remember how it was to live without all the comforts of today. The food they ate probaly was from their own garden, which was turned over by shovel, and with the use of horses combined with their own body power. Meat was there only if you went out and hunted for it, or by killing off some of your stock. For some there was only light to read by, powered by lanterns filled with oil, and the use of a wick. Water was gotten from the streams, which might be quite a ways from the house. The clothes were washed with the use of a washboard, and hung out on a clothes line , held up high by a long piece of wood to keep them off the ground. There was no radio then for people to enjoy, so any news would be from the word of mouth.

 Now, those same people have been witness to electricity, the automobile, the washer and dryer, radio and television, tractors and mowers, and most important, water coming into the house and sewers taking out the waste.

 These same people, along with those in the 20th century, have witness many wars, which came about because there was someone out there, who wasn't content with just being a part of the human race. They wanted to run the whole thing, and be able to dictate to everyone else. Wars among men have always been there, and probaly will always be here , because of the greed that breeds in them and because of the power that they want over all others. Hopefully, all those men who have been part of that greed, have been welcomed home by the devil himself, who got them started on the path of killing off our fellow men.

 I have never understood why a person would even think about killing off another human being. In reality, they are killing off a brother or sister, because we are of one family made by the creator, to love each other and to care for each other. Of course I know that the killing done by wars between two countries, is looked at in a different way, but freedom as we know it now, would not have come across ,if not for those wars. Still, in the hearts of all those who have taken a life in those wars, lies the hurt that they had to do it. Sometimes freedom is only achieved that way. And my respect and praise goes out to all those men and women who gave thier lives, so that we might live without fear of being taken over, by those men who want that power over others. As I have stated, those people who started the whole mess, so that they would be the ultimate power, will have to answer to the great father above, before making the trip to the lower bowells of hell.

 My grandmothers used to tell us about the old days when everything you did was for the purpose of living. I didn't have the grandfathers, to tell me about the old days, because they both passed away, when I was only a blink in my mother's eye. Grandmother Day and Grandmother Saap were two of the best ladies around, next to my mother, and they had a wealth of information to tell. Dad's mother would come over and sit with us and she would tell us how rough it was to raise a large family, but that she loved every minute of it. She would always be by my mother's side, when they both cooked for all of us. And she was a good story teller too. She loved each and everyone of her children,which consisted of brothers and sisters brought together during two marriages. There is only one left from that large family, and his name is Gerald.

 Dad was a lot like his mother in that they both tried to never talk bad about anyone, especially those who have passed away. Dad always said that if you can't say anything nice about a person, then don't say anything. As far as the rest of dad's brothers and sisters, they all were of the quiet type of people, who found peace in being able to just make it in life ,and being with the family. It didn't take much to satisfy any of them, because they were raised with a strong hand, and they respected everyone. Each of them had great offspring, who also were very respectful of others. The Day clan were taught that to be respected, you had to show respect. I must say that my cousins on the Day side are very nice people.

 Mom was also like her mother in that she was a person, who believed that if you showed respect, you recieved respect. Mom was also one who wasn't afraid to use a switch on us, if we did wrong. I will tell you, that you learn fast about not doing anything wrong. Also, Mom would do anything, she had to make sure that we always had a hot meal and warm clothes on our back. And you didn't need a curfew at night , because Mom always made sure she knew, where each and every one of us were at all times. Grandma Saap lived in the state of Washington, while we were young, but she never forgot our birthdays and she would always send us a box of goodies, such as games,and shirts that she made herself out of flour sacks. She was a good seamster, and they really looked great. Grandma Saap finally came home to be with the family because she had cancer. She, like Grandma Day, lived to be in her early nineties, and they sure were tough ladies. Grandma Saap had several children, and their time here on earth was shortened ,because of cancer, but they left offspring that also are great cousins. They too know and exercise the belief, that respecting others gets respect for you. All said, I guess that I am very proud of all my family on both sides. They are good people and they are very respectful of others.

 And so you know why I preach respect, discipline and responsibilty. All of that, was part of my family's life, and we try to pass it on to our children. From what I have seen, when I see the different families, I would have to say that they are carrying on all that good work that was taught to us.

 Maybe I won't make it into the next century, but I would sure like to. My thoughts go to wondering why everyone is so afraid of what will happen, when that day arrives. I have always made it a point, to be in bed, when one year passes to another, but  I am going to stay awake and usher in the year 2000. There are those out there, who are saying that the world will end on that day. Let this old man tell you one thing. No one knows when that day will come, except the Great Father above. As far as being ready for any power losses, I do think that it would be wise to be prepared, for that by having another means of power, such as a generator, or a old heating stove to burn wood in. Many people keep generators around, just in case of power loss due to storms,such as ice or winds, that will take the power lines down. That is one of the most important of all needs of anyone who wants to survive a bad winter storm, or a bad spring tonado. That is just good common sense to be prepared. It wouldn't hurt to have some extra food in the pantry too, but not to the extreme.

 As of now, we wait for the year 2000 to come, and if you think about it, times passes fast. It would be a great time, to just start getting with the families ,and finding out if they will need any help when that time comes.

 Speaking of families, brings this old man to think about the way that family togetherness, has taken a back seat to just not caring about each other, until that someone is ill and then they want to get close again. Back when I was a youngster, it was the duty of the parent, to make sure that their offspring was properly cared for, in case of their untimely death. Usually some sort of an arrangement was made, so that the youngsters would be taken care of by a family member, or a close freind of the family. That way the breadwinner of the family could pass on, with the assurance that his or her children would be ok.

 It just doesn't seem to work that way anymore. The feeling among a small percentage of parents, is that the children will just have to pull for themselves. Parents are known to use up the savings, that were supposed to be for the child, and also the life insurance of the parent, is turned back in for ready cash, that can be used for their own purpose. I just have never really understood, how any parent can not want to leave their children all the money possible, to maintain their life, until they have the means to take care of themselves.

 I have been told that people change in time, but I really think that it is the attitudes that have changed. The feeling among some of  the young group, is that whatever happens will happen. They really don't care about what people think of them. This is only a small group, but as time goes by, it gets larger. What we need to do for them is to bring them back to reality. Show them responsibility, and teach them respect. Take them back in time and show them that they are throwing away their lives, and show them the way home. We need to be there for them when they come home, and we need to love them a we would a new born child. After all these were angels sent bay God to us to nurture and raise, and just maybe there is hope that we can finish the task.

 I get a lot of letters and phone calls, as well as people coming into the store, telling me how much that I have helped them, through my column, and my web page. That is my goal. As I have said before, I was at the door ready to go home, and I came back. So I still have a lot of work to do here , before The Great Father calls me home. Only HE knows when I have completed my chore here on earth. Until then, I will try to give you my thoughts that
come "straight from the heart", and I hope that you enjoy them.
Ray Day